Looking for Answers to your Paternity Testing Questions? If you answered yes. Check out our top 13 questions people asked people about paternity testing below.

What can I use a paternity test for?

A paternity test is a test that determines a biological relationship between an alleged father and a child/ren. Paternity tests are normally used for immigration, legal name change, adoption and child custody cases.

How accurate is a DNA Paternity Test?

DNA Testing is very accurate vehicle to help provide proof of a biological relationship. When it comes to Paternity Testing results are 100 percent accurate if performed accurately by the lab.

The Probability of Paternity is a statistical measure of the likelihood of the biological relationship. In the case of an inclusion result (the alleged father is found to be the biological father), the Probability of Paternity could be as high as 99.999% or higher.

While an inclusion result can be 99.999% or higher, an exclusion result is always 0%. This is because if the genetic profiles of the child and alleged father do not match, there is statistically no chance that the two are biologically related.

How much does a Paternity Test Cost?

There are two types of Paternity testing options IDTO provides. First option is, a Legal Paternity test which is $325.00 for an alleged father and 1 child ($375.00 with mother included).

Second option is, a Non-Legal Paternity test which is $275.00 for an alleged father and 1 child ($325.00 with mother included). It is also important to note the collection fees may be included. Please contact one of our trained DNA Testing Experts for questions or to schedule an appointment at 877-680-5800.

How do I get the testing process started?

It’s simple. Just contact one of DNA Testing Experts at 877-680-5800 and we will assist you with your family’s relationship testing needs.

Where can I go to get my DNA specimen collected?

Once you contact IDTO to schedule an appointment your assigned DNA caseworker will facilitate your family’s DNA specimen collection at a facility near your home.

Is it possible to take a paternity test before the child is born?

Yes. But, unfortunately IDTO does not currently offer this particular type of DNA Paternity test to the public.

Can I have a DNA test done I live in different cities/states/countries for my family member?

Yes. It is possible to perform a DNA test with parties in two different locations. To learn more about the process and process contact one of our DNA Testing Experts 877-680-5800.

How fast can I get my results?

Turnaround time for results is 48 – 72 hrs (business days) from the time our lab receives all samples.

Are buccal swab samples as accurate as blood samples?

Yes. Once we are conceived our DNA remains the same our entire life. So whether we are using blood or buccal swab to collect epithelial cells the results will be the same barring a genetic mutation like a person being a Chimera. A Chimera is person who has two different types of DNA encompassed within their body. In other words, they are their own twin.

We also accept non-standard samples for Forensic DNA such as organ tissue, cigarette butts, tooth brushes, and other frequently-used personal items. Call now to learn more at 877-680-5800.

What is Chain of Custody?

Chain of Custody is the chronological documentation, showing the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of evidence. In a legal DNA paternity test, it means proper identification of the tested parties and proper collection and handling of the specimens, all of which is documented. In addition, AABB requires that everyone involved in the testing process from the specimen collector to the DNA analyst be a third party who has no interest in the outcome of the test. Only DNA test results generated following chain-of-custody procedures are legally admissible and accepted by government agencies and immigration authorities such as USCIS and U. S. embassies.

What’s AABB accreditation?

AABB (formerly American Associations of Blood Banks) is the regulating organization for the family relationship DNA testing industry. AABB’s family relationship standards and accreditation program is the gold standard for DNA paternity and other kinship testing laboratories. Only DNA results produced by an AABB-accredited laboratory are accepted by a court of law and immigration authorities such as USCIS and U. S. embassies for immigration purpose

Is paternity testing covered by health insurance or Medicaid?

In general, paternity testing is not covered by health insurance or Medicaid because it is not a medically necessary procedure. However, there are some situations in which part of the sample collection costs may be covered. Please call one of our knowledgeable DNA Testing Experts at 1-877-680-5800 to learn more.

Can a paternity test be performed if the alleged father is missing or deceased? There are several testing options available in situations where the alleged father is unavailable or deceased:

The first option that should be considered is viability testing on a sample taken from the deceased, such as stored blood or a tissue sample. (This type of sample usually comes from a coroner’s or medical examiner’s office.) If usable DNA is found in the sample, we can conduct a paternity test using it as the alleged father’s sample.

If no biological samples from the alleged father are available, grandparentage testing is the next option to consider. Both biological parents of the alleged father (the paternal grandparents) are required to participate in a grandparentage test. Results of this test prove only the relationship of the child to the grandparents, but most government offices treat these results as indirect evidence of paternity.

If one or both paternal grandparents are unavailable for testing, other family relationship tests–such as genetic reconstructions and siblingship tests–may be performed to indirectly determine a child’s paternity.